Alexander nodded. “Probably in the hall,” he said. “He has de Norville and Hage with him.”
Maddoc bolted for the great hall, lured by the promise of friends he’d not seen in a while. The men watched him go, with David finally saying what they were all thinking.
“There is going to be some mischief tonight, my friends,” he said quietly. “Those four together again? God help us.”
The Earl of Canterbury had spoken. David de Lohr was the younger brother of Christopher and had acquired his title through marriage. He was still spry and powerful as his years advanced, with the same graying blond hair that his brother had. Between the two of them, they’d created more history, events, and trouble in their heyday than most men created in a lifetime. They were legends in England, a brotherly bond that was unbreakable, and that meant David wasn’t going to miss his brother’s tournament.
Even if the travel had been exhausting.
“You are more than likely correct,” Rhys replied. “In fact, I think I shall follow him. De Wolfe and de Norville and Hage are wild in the best of times. Add Maddoc to the mix and things canbecome… chaotic. Especially when they’ve not seen one another in a while. Tell Chris that I am here and will speak with him later.”
That had David grinning as he acknowledged his departure after the lively young men. He well knew the unpredictability of young knights because he’d been one himself, once. He’d had a wild streak to end all wild streaks. With a grin, Rhys departed the group and followed his son’s path to the great hall, leaving Peter, Alexander, and David to chuckle at the man’s attempt to curb his enthusiastic sons and his friends.
Not that he had a chance of doing so.
“Maddoc is not wild,” David said. “He’s actually quite levelheaded and sedate. But pair him with those three and there are no guarantees how he will behave.”
Alexander looked at him. “I hope Rhys realizes that Maddoc will fight with them in the mass competition,” he said. “He will not side against his friends. If that happens, we are in for a time of it.”
David grinned, shaking his head. “Count me out,” he said. “I am too old to be beaten on by a knight who serves me. Even in fun.”
Alexander couldn’t disagree with him, mostly because Maddoc was big and powerful and no one particularly wanted to become his victim upon the field of competition. Not even for sport. He was about to say so when they both caught sight of Christopher as the man made his way out of the keep, heading in their direction.
“I expected you two weeks ago,” Christopher said loudly, closing the gap between them. “Where have you been?”
“On the road for almost three weeks,” David said. “You could at least feed me before you berate me about it.”
Christopher pointed toward the hall. “There is much food and drink awaiting you,” he said. “But first, I have much to say to you.”
“Christ, whatisit?”
“I am glad to see you. Embrace me, you idiot.”
David snorted, throwing his arms around his older brother and giving him a gruff squeeze before releasing him. “What is the matter with you, Chris?” he said, looking the man up and down. “You look old and weary. When is the last time you slept?”
Christopher cocked an eyebrow. “I slept very well only last night,” he said. “Your eyesight must be fading. I am perfectly fine.”
David smiled weakly. “So you are,” he said. “Where is your wife?”
“Inside,” Christopher said. “I think something happened to Rebecca. But she will be along soon, I’m sure.”
“What happened to Rebecca?”
Christopher shrugged. “Who can say?” he said. “She came running into the keep, weeping, a short time ago. But you know Rebecca—she never does anything quietly. I could hear her quite plainly when she came in, carrying on as if the entire world was caving in.”
“Ah,” David said. “Well, I have daughters of my own. I know how loud they can be.”
That was the truth. David had three daughters, all very close in age, so he had a symphony of female troubles at any given time. Christopher nodded in sympathy, in agreement, before waving the man on.
“Go into the hall with Sherry,” he said, reaching out to grab Peter by the arm. “Get something to eat and sit down. I will join you in a moment.”
David pointed in the direction of the hall. “Rhys and Maddoc are in here.”
That had Christopher registering surprise. “Du Bois is here?” he said. “You brought him?”
David nodded. “He was visiting Maddoc at Canterbury and I persuaded him to come along with us to your tournament,” he said. “He was most happy to come along. Come inside and greet him.”
Christopher put up his hand. “In a moment,” he said. “Let me greet my son first. But there is plenty of Aragon wine to comfort you until I get there.”
